From body obsession to better health, from bullying to building cohesive classrooms. ABC icon Tony Jones joins the seventh Positive Schools conference. An essential two days of positive education for all Australian primary and secondary school educators.

twenty sessions in five parallel streams including a living library of positive education and the power of rhythm with Drumbeat. Immerse yourself in a Master Class, which lifts us ‘out of our minds’ into a ‘Body of Evidence’ for health, wellbeing and effective education.

On day one, Kaz Cooke asks how we engage every student. Dr Kerry Howells gives weight to gratitude and Therese Joyce helps us teach with classroom humour. Dr Helen Street challenges the myths of effective education and Professors Donna Cross and Toni Noble explore positive approaches to effective life long learning.

What can every teacher in every school do to improve the health and wellbeing of young Australia?

Parallel Streams - In 2015, twenty talks, workshops and interactive sessions are presented in five parallel streams, each with a distinct theme. In STREAM ONE, Geelong Grammar School Institute of Positive Education presents ‘A Living Library of Positive Education in Action’. Nick Prendergast from beyondblue - WELLBEING IN THE DIGITAL AGE hosts STREAM TWO with MindMatters STUDENTS TAKING THE LEAD and KidsMatter - WHAT IS WHOLE SCHOOL WELLBEING bringing the whole school community into play. Project Rockit leads STREAM THREE with strategies for bullying reduction from the EOC and bully-proofing with Steve Heron. Professor Sue Roffey hosts STREAM FOUR nurturing positive relationships with the help of Peer Support, the essential rhythms of DRUMBEAT and the launch of DRUMBEAT Quest. Our 2015 aim to build healthy schools is embraced in STREAM FIVE with host Richard Pengelley, ACHPER (The Australian Council for Health, Physical Education and Recreation) and body image expert Thea O’Connor.

‘Voices for Living’ - Listen to the voices of students, teachers and community members as they comment on all things positive about education and learning. What is the most important thing you learnt at school? What makes a teacher a great teacher? How much sleep do you get…should you get? How do you feel about your body? What is the most important thing teachers can do to support youth health, wellbeing and effective learning?

Positive Teacher of the Year - Listen to the wisdom of our four Positive Teachers of 2014, selected from over 800 nominees. Each Positive Teacher will talk within our ‘whole school community’ parallel stream, presenting ideas and strategies from their schools and classrooms.

In addition, we will celebrate the nominees and winners for Positive Teacher of the Year 2015 throughout the two days. Nominate a deserving positive teacher by clicking on the link on the menu bar.